# Origin of Yard

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-yard/105896>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [April 27, 2002, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-yard/105896 "2002-04-27T02:21:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jiHymas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/439d5e/32.png) [@jiHymas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jiHymas)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-yard/105896/1 "2002-04-27T02:21:05Z")

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The Master states ([http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_024.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_024.html)) that no-one knows how “yard” originated. OK, but it is interesting to note that standardization was thought sufficiently necessary that it was mentioned in Magna Carta (1297):

**[25] One measure of Wine shall be through our Realm, and one measure of Ale, and one measure of Corn, that is to say, the Quarter of London; and one breadth of dyed Cloth, Russets, and Haberjects, that is to say, two Yards within the lists. And it shall be of Weights as it is of Measures.**

cite: A translation of Magna Carta as confirmed by Edward I with his seal in 1297 ([http://www.nara.gov/exhall/charters/magnacarta/magtrans.html](http://www.nara.gov/exhall/charters/magnacarta/magtrans.html))